Recording device.



R. H.V CRONINGER.

RECORDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FxLED MAY31.1917.

1,263,862. Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS- SHEET l.

R. H. CRONINGER.

RECORDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED HIM/31,1917.

1,263,862. Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R. Hf CRONINGER.

RECORDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3l, |917.

1,263,862. Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS- SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD HENRY CRONINGER, OF OAEFWOOD, OIIO, .AIS-SIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNn MENTS, TO THE DAYTON ADDING MACHINE & TIME LOCK COMPANY, 0F DAYTON,

OI-IIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

RECORDING DEVICE.

Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

Application filed May 31, 1917. Serial No. 171,817.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD HENRY CRONINGER, a citizen of the United States, residingr at akwood, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Recording Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

rThis invention relates to recording devices and more particularly to time recording devices. The object ot the invention is to provide a device ot' this kind which will be very simple both in its construction and in its operation; and which will be ot such a character that it will not interfere with, and will add but little to the burden on, the clock mechanism.

It is also an object ot' the invention to provide, in connection with such a recording device, a platen to which rotatory movement will be automatically imparted to cause the platen to contact with the torm in a diter-ent position upon each operation thereot1 and thus prevent the indentation of the platen which results from its repeated contact with the form in the same position; and further to provide a construction in which this rotary movement will be imparted to the platen without the use of additional mechanism or parts.

It is also an object ot the invention to provide in a recording device, a cam operated platen; and to provide such a platen with means for adjusting the amount of movement imparted thereto, in order to regulate the character of the impression produced thereby.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a time indicating form which can be connected with the clock mechanism through a minimum number of parts, and which will be of such a character that the impact, or pressure, due to the action ot the platen will be absorbed by the form and will not be transmitted to the clock mechanism.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for retaining the clock mechanism and the form which is connected therewith, rigidly against displacement under the action ot the platen, thus insuring a perfect contact between the form and thel platen.

It is also an object of the invention to provide in such a recording device guards which will prevent the card, or paper, which is inserted between the platen and form from interfering with the ribbon or other parts ot the mechanism.

It is also an object ot the invention to provide an improved ribbon spool having means for connecting the ribbon thereto, which will permit of the spool being rotated in either direction without disconnect ing the ribbon.

lt is also an object of the invention to provide a signal, such as a bell, to be actuated at the completion oit' the impression taking operation. @ther objects ot the invention will appear as the mechanism is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings' Figure l is a sectional view taken on the line l-l of F ig. 2; ld ig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l and partially broken away; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l looking in the cirection of the arrows; F ig. l is a sectional detail view of the form and the connecting devices between the same and the clock; Fig. 5 is a detail view of the bell mechanism; Fig. 6 is a detail view ot the blank in which the ribbon spool is formed; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ribbon spool; and F ig. 8 is a transverse sectional view ot' the same.

In these drawings l have illustrated one embodiment ot my invention and have shown the same as applied to a time recording device which is especially adapted Jtor printing upon a card, or record sheet, the time at which an employee enters and leaves the factory, or the time at which an employee begins and quits work on a given job. This particular form of recording device is, however, chosen tor the purpose of illustration and it will be understood that the invention can be applied to recording devices of various kinds, either with or without mechanism tor recording the same.

In the particular embodiment of the invention here illustrated T have shown the mechanism as mounted upon a base plate 5 which forms the back wall o t' a casing, the outer portion ot which forms a housing 6 for the mechanism vand is removably secured to the base plate, preferably by hinging the same to the base plate, as shown at 7, and providing a lock S therefor', to prevent access being had to the mechanism by 5 unauthorized persons. Mounted within the housing' 6 is a suitable clock mechanism which preferably comprises a frame having bottom and top walls 9 and 10 connected one to the other by posts 11, and is movably mounted upon the base pl te 5. The clock frame may be connected with the base plate in any suitable manner, but preferably the rear posts 11 are provided with openings 12 dapted to receive studs 13 rigidiy secured to the base plate. Suitable means are provided for securing the clocl-z frame against accidental displacement and this means is preferablyof such a character that it will prevent any movement of the clock frame when pressure is applied to the form, as will be hereinafter explained. In the present instance I have formed the studs 13 of such a length that they will extend slightly beyond the respective posts and have pivotally mounted on each post a latch 14- adapted to i! 1 l 1 enter an annular recess -o ioimed in tne projecting end the stud and in such relation to the post that after the latch has en tered the recess it will bear 'ightly against the post, thus holding the saine firmly against displacement.

T he clock mechanism is mounted between the bottom and top plates 9 and 10 of the frame, as shown at 1G, and has connected therewith a form adapted to indicate the time, and from which a record may be taken. In the present construction I have illustrated a flat form and have shown the same as comprising a bot y portion, or casting 17, which is preferably rigidly secured to the bottom plate 9, and in the form here shown is cast integral therewith. This body portion, or casing, is provided with a longitudinal opening 18 about one end of which are arranged, in circular forni, type adapter to print the numerals 1 to 12, which type constitutes the fixed portion of the form and is indicated by the reference numeral 19. Rotatably mounted within the opening 1S in the body portion of the forni is a hollow shaft or cylinder, 20, provided at its outer end with an enlarged portion or annular head, 2l, adapted to bear upon a shoulder 22 formed near the end of the opening' 18. This head is pr vided with an `ing` character, such as a V, shown at 23, to indicate upon the fixed form, or dial, the hour. rIhis hour cylinder extends through the opening` 18 of the body portion of the form and is provided at that end adjacent to the clock with slots 24, adapted to receive a cross arm, or projections, carried by the hour shaft of the clock. Mounted within the hollow shaft, or hour ciylinder, 20, is a second shaft 25 having at its outer end a disk-like head 26 adapted to engage a shoulder 27 formed in the head 21 of the hour cylinder, and of such a thickness that its outer surface will be substantially flush with the outer surface of said head 21. rIhis second shaft, constitutes the minute shaft and has secured thereto an indicating device such as a linger 28 to indicate upon the fixed form the minute. This shaft extends throughout the hour cylinder and has its inner ends slotted as shown at 29 to receive a cross arm, or projections, carried by the minute shaft of the clock. Both the hour cylinder and the minute shaft are, for the greater portion of their length, of less diameter than the bearings in which they are respectively mounted and are provided with narrow bearing surfaces to reduce the frictional contact between the shafts and their bearings. It will -be noted that the head 26 of the minute shaft rests against the shoulder 27 of the hour cylinder and that the head 21 of the hour cylinder rests against the body portion of the form, which is rigidly secured to the block frame, hence the rotating members of the forni are positively held against lengtlr rise movement and it is impossible for the impact or pressure imparted to the form by the platen, no matter how excessive this may be, to be transmitted to the clock mechanism.

Coperating with the form to take a reeord therefrom is a reciprocatory platen 30 comprising a head in which is mounted a cushion 31 of soft rubber, or similar material. When the platen remains permanently in on@ position so that it engages the form in the same position on each Operation thereof, the type of the form soon produces indentations in the platen which not only interfere with the production of a proper impression, but also tend to destroy the platen, or its cushion, when the latter is separable therefrom. In order to avoid this result it is desirable that a slight rotatory movement be imparted to the platen upon each printing operation so that the platen will occupy a different position with relation to the form each time it comes in contact therewith. In order that such a device may be practical for commercial operation it must be very Simple in its construction and operation and of such a character that it will not interfere with the operation of the clock mechanism, or the other parts of the recording mechanism. In the present instance, I produce this result without the use of any parts or mechanism other than those which are required to impart printingr movement to the platen. To accomplish this I have mounted the platen for free rotary movement, as well as reciprocatory movement, and have arranged the same on an axis which intersects the plane of the form at a slight acute angle, so that the contact surface of the platen converges slightly toward the plane of the form. The 'means for imparting reciprocatory ymovement to the platen are of such a character that the other movements of the platen are in no way restricted. Further, the platen is so mounted that it can adjust itself to bring its axis into a position at right angles to the plane `of the form. I-IenCe when the platen is brought into ,en gagement with the frame :the .contact will take place first atoneedge of the platen and as pressure is applied to the platen it will adjust itself to move the entire surface thereof into engagement with the form, or rather into engagement .with the paper, or card, which is interposed between the same land the form. This tilting movement of the platen Causes a slight rotatory movement to be imparted thereto and this rotatory movement is suiiicient to prevent the type of the form engaging the platen in the .san-1e position on successive operations thereof. The plat-en operating devices may take various forms, but in the present instance I have shown the platen 30 as having a stem, or shank, 32, which extends into a bearing bracket, or guide-way, 33, which is somounted that its longitudinal axis intersects vthe plane of the form at an acute angle. This angle in practice is very slight preferably not over l/2000 of an inch and I have, in the present drawings, exaggerated the same so it can be ascertained without the use of an instrument. The shank 32 of the platen is loosely mounted inthe bearing bracket so that it is free to rotate therein and there is suflieient clearance between the shank and the walls ofthe bracket to permit the shank to move into such a position with relation to the bracket as will permit the platen to assume a position parallel with the form when it moves into engagement therewith. Here again only a very slight clearance is necessary for my purpose and that shown in the drawings is greatly exaggerated. It vwill be apparent thatby mounting the shank of the platen loosely in its guide-way it is possible for the same to adjust itself to cause the platen to assume a position parallel with the form, should these parts for any reason be out of proper parallelism, and thuscause a uniform impression to be taken from the form regardless of whether or not it is desired to impart rotatory movementto the platen.

Reciprocatory movement may be imparted to the platen in various ways so long as the means for imparting the reciprocatory movement thereto does not interfere with the other movements thereof. Howe-ver, I prefer to employ'a cam for actuating the platen and, in the present form of the device, I have shown such a cam at`34. As here shown the lower part ofthe bearing .bracket 33 ,is ,provided with ears 35 ,between which is pivotallv .mounted e leren 01' w11, One .end of which isshaped to form va cam, and is arranged to engage the adjacent Yend of the shank 32 ofthe platen, and to impart movement thereto. The -cam may ybe actuated in any suitable manner. As lhere shown it is vconnected.by means of a ylink 36 with a crank arm 37rigidly `secured to a shaft :3 8 journaledin suitable bearings 39 secured to the .b ase .5 yand having yone 4end extending beyond thelcasing 6 and :provided with a handle 40 ,by means of which the shaftmay be rocked and the cam actuated `to impart movement to the platen. The cam is held normally in its retracted position by means.

of a spring 41 securedat one end of an arm 42, mounted on the shaft 38, and is connected at its other `end with the bearingbracket 33, preferably by passing the end of the spring about the end of the pivot pin for the cam lever. platen the cam will be withdrawn and the platen permitted to move b-y gravity to its inoperative position. -Means are provided for Vregulating the amount of movement which can be imparted tothe cam, and hence for lregulating the amount of pressure exerted bythe platen upon the paper which is in contact with kthe form, thus enabling the movementof the platen to be controlled to yadjust the same-to paper or cards of different thicknesses and to regulatethe .characterof the impressionmade. For .this purposeI have provided the cam lever with a heel, or shoulder, .43, adapted toengage the inner end of a screw 44 which lis threaded into a depending wall, porflange, 45, carried by the bearing bracket Obviously, by moving the screw inward, the amount of movement which .can be imparted to the cam and consequently to the platen is decreased and by ,moving the screw outward the amount `of this movement .may be increased. The edge of the lflange 45 extends vdownward into the path of the lower end of the cam lever and forms a stop to limit theV lrearward movement ofthe cam. The' lower end of the shank ofthe platen is provided with atiplor plate 46of hardened metal to forma contact surface `for the edge of the cam, which is also hardened. .Consequently there will be very little wear between these parts, and-because of -therotary movement of the platen this wear would be distributed Vover the entire surface of the bearing plate 46,*and, further, any wear on these contact surfaces may becompensated for by increasing the movement ofthe cam. Iy also prefer to mountithe cam slightly off the center of the shank of the platen, as shown in Fig. l, as I have found that when so offset the action ofthe cam on 4the :platen Y also tends to impart rotary moyement thereto. It is only neessaryithat theam should beofeet .a Sheri .distante .and ,it ,is .immaterial it@ Thus, after each operation of the izo which side of the center of the platen it is offset. To facilitate the assembly lof the device I have provided three washers to be interposed between the cam and the respective bearing lugs, or ears, 35, two of the washers being placed upon one side of the cam and one washer upon the other side of the cam. `When an offset cam is used in conjunction with a tilted platen a very effective rotary movement is imparted to the platen, but it will be understood that either of these instrumentalities may be used alone to impart rotary movement to the platen, and in some instances it may be preferable to employ one without the other.

The form from which the impression is taken may be of any suitable character but I have, in the present instance, illustrated the same as consistingv of ordinary type, which are inked by means of an inking ribbon 47, which is interposed between the form and the platen, and is so arranged that the card, or paper, on which the impression is to be taken may be interposed between the ribbon and the platen. To this end the housing is provided with a slot 48 formed in the front and side walls thereof and extending back far enough to permit the card to be inserted the desired distance. The ribbon may be supported in any desired manner, but in the present instance I have shown it as carried by spools 49 arranged near the opposite sides of the casing. The ribbon extends from these spools` about suitable guide-rods 50 which hold the same in a proper plane with relation to the card and the form. To guide the cards into proper position with relation to the form, and to prevent the ribbon being displaced by the card, I have provided suitable guide plates, or guards, arranged above and below the slot 48. The lower guide plate 51 extends for substantially the full width and length of the casing and is rigidly secured to the back wall 5, and is provided with an opening through which the platen may operate. This lower guide plate has secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom a suitable stop, or flange, 52, arranged in a position to be engaged by the card and to properly position the same to receive the impression. Thev upper guide plate 53 is supported in the forward portion of the casing on the same level as or slightly lower than, the ribbon, and has its forward edge turned upwardly to facilitate the entrance of the card. This upper guide plate 53 preferably is of `such a width that it terminates close to the forward edge of the ribbon, being spaced therefrom a sufiicient distance to prevent interference therewith. It may be supported in different ways but, as here shown, the ribbon guide rods 50 have reduced end portions, or pintles, 54, and apertured ears 55 are struck from the guide plate and turned upward to receive these pintles, which may be upset to firmly secure the guide plates to the supporting rods.

The ribbon spools 49 may be of any suitable character and, in the present instance, they are manually operated to adjust the ribbon. The spool, as here shown, is formed of sheet metal and has a longitudinally arranged series of barbed projections adapted to be inserted through the fabric of the ribbon to grip the same and prevent the removal thereof when it is drawn in either direction from the barbed projections, thus enabling the ribbon to be unwound from the spool to its end and rewound by rotating the spool in the opposite direction without disconnecting the ribbon from the spool. As illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and S of the drawings, each spool is made of three pieces of sheet metal. The body or core of the spool is formed from a blank 56, struck from sheet metal and having barbed projections struck therefrom, as shown at 57. This blank is bent into cylindrical shape, to form the core, and the lips 58 on the ends thereof are inserted through openings in the disklike end pieces 59, and are bent down upon the outer walls of these pieces to rigidly connect the latter with the core of the spool. The end pieces are of a greater diameter than the core and project beyond the surface thereof to form the fianges of the spool, and these flanges are preferably serrated to facilitate the manual rotation of the spool.

It is desirable that the recorder be provided with an audible signal to indicate when a record is made, and I have, in the present instance, provided such a signal in the form of a bell which is actuated by the operating handle 40 for the platen, and which will be sounded just as the impression is completed, thus indicating that the impression has been completed. As shown in the present arrangement the bell 60 is supported by a bracket 61 secured to the base plate 5 and the tapper G3 is carried by a sheet metal arm (i4 which is also secured to the base plate 5. This arm is preferably of such a shape, and is so arranged, that the tapper will lie within the bell, and the arm is provided between its ends with an inclined lug 65 arranged to be engaged by a laterally extending finger 6G on an arm 67 carried by the shaft 38. The arrangement is such that when movement is imparted to the shaft in a direction to operate the platen the finger G6 will engage the lower side of the inclined lug and lift the tapper, and will be moved past the lug, to release the arm to permit the resiliency thereof to move the tapper into engagement with the bell, just as the impression stroke of the platen is completed. As the shaft returns to its normal position the finger 66 will ride over the upper edge of the inclined lug and while the arm Will be depressed to a slight extent its movement Will not be sufficient to sound the bell.

T he operation of the device Will be readily understood from the foregoing description of the several parts thereof, and it will be apparent that I have provided a recording device Which is very simple both in its construction and in its operation; and in which the impression Will be taken by a platen which is automatically rotated to prevent the same portion thereof from engaging the same type upon successive operations; and further that the platen may be adjusted to enable an impression to be taken upon stock of different thicknesses and dierent characteristics Without aecting the printing instrumentalities. It will also be apparent that I have provided a very simple but highly efficient operating` device for the platen, which not only facilitates the adjustment or movement thereof and avoids all interference With the free rotation of the platen, but can be so mounted as to impart rotatory movement to the platen andis in itself very simple and positive in its operation. It will also be noted that the form construction is such that there is no possibility of the impact or pressure of the platen being transmitted to the clock mechanism; and that the movable parts of the form are of such a character and are so connected With the clock mechanism as to impose a very light burden upon the same.

It Will also be noted that the construction as a Whole is simple and that the parts are of such a character that there is little liability of their becoming so disarranged as to interfere with the operation of the de-A vice, and further, that the parts are of such a character that they can be produced at a relatively low cost and will require no iine adjustments in assembling in order to render the device operative.

Vhile I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I Wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details of construction thereof as various modifications Will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having novv fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a recording device, a form, a floating platen cooperating with said form, means to reciprocate said platen, and means controlled by the reciprocatory movement of said platen to impart rotatory movement thereto.

'2. In a recording device, a form, a floating platen eoperating with said form, and means to reciprocate the same` said platen being so mounted that its contact with said form will cause a partial rotation thereof.

3. In a recording device, a form, a reciprocatory platen cooperating with said form, said platen being mounted for movement in a line intersecting the plane of said form at an acute angle and being free to rotate, whereby the engagement of said platen with said form will cause a partial rotation of said platen.

e. In a recording device, a form, a guide- Way arranged adjacent to said form and extending at an acute angle to the plane thereof, a platen having a part mounted in said guide-Way for both rotatory and reciprocatory movement, said platen being so mounted in said guide-Way that its longitudinal axis will be moved out of said parallelism with the axis of said guide-Way When said platen engages said form.

5. In a recording device, a form, a gnidevfay arranged adjacent to the plane thereofs a floating platen having a part mounted in said guide-Way for free rotatory and reciprocatory movement, and means to impart reciprocatory movement to said platen Without interfering With its free rotatory movement.

6. In a recording device, a form, a bearing bracket arranged adjacent to said form and having a guide-Way extending at an acute angle to the plane of said form, a platen having a shank mounted in said guide-Way for both reciprocatory and rotatory movement, said shank itting loosely Within the guide-Way to permit its axis to be moved out of parallelism with the axis of said guide-Way, and an actuating device to engage the end of said shank and impart longitudinal movement thereto Without interfering vvith the rotatory movement thereof.

7. In a recording device, a form, a bearing bracket arranged adjacent to vsaid form and having` a Guide-Way extending at an acute angle to the plane of said form, a platen having a shank mounted in said guide-Way for both reciprocatory and rotatory movement, said shank fitting loosely Within the guide-Way to permit its axis to be moved out of parallelism with the axis of said guide-Way, and a cam arranged to engage said shank to impart reciproeatory movement to said platen.

8. In a recording device, a form, a bearing bracket arranged adjacent to said form and having a guide-Way extending at an acute angle to the plane of said form, a platen having a shank mounted in said guide-Way for both reciprocatory and rotator-y movement, said shank fitting loosely Within the guide-Wav to permit its axis to be moved out of parallelism with the axis of said guide- Way, a cam arranged to engage said shank to impart reciprocatory movement to said platen, and adjustable means to limit the movement of said cam.

9. In a recording device, a form, a bearing bracket mounted adjacent'l to said form and having a guide-way extending at an acute angle to the plane of said form, a platen to cooperate with said form and having a shank mounted in said guide-way for both reciprocatory and rotatory movement, said shank fitting loosely within the guide-way to permit its axis to be moved out of parallelism with the axis of said guide-way, a lever pivotaliy mounted on said bearing bracket and having a Cain-shaped portion arranged to engage the end of the shank of said platen and impart reciprocatory movement thereto.

10. In a recording device, a form, a bearing bracket mounted adjacent to said form and having a guide-way extending at an acute angle to the plane of said form, a platen to cooperate with said form and having a shank mounted in said guide-way for both reciprocatory and rotatory movement, said shank fitting loosely within the guideway to permit its axis to be moved out of parallelism with the axis of said guide-way, and a cam pivotally mounted on said bearing bracket and mounted to engage the end of the shank of said platen slightly off center, whereby the action of said cam will not only impart reciprocatory movement to said platen but will tend to rotate the same.

11. In a recording device, a form, a bearing bracket mounted adjacent to said form and having a guide-way, a platen having a part mounted in. said guide-way for both reciprocatory and rotatory movement, and a cam arranged to engage said part of said form at one side of its longitudinal center to impart both reciproeatory and rot-atory movement thereto.

1Q. In a recording device, a form, a bearing bracket mounted adjacent to said form and having a guide-way, a platen having a part mounted in said guide-way for both reciprocatory and rotatory movement, a lever pivotally mounted on said bearing bracket and having a cam shaped portion arranged to engage the end of that part of said platen which is mounted in said guide-way at a point slightly oli the longitudinal center thereof to cause both reciprocatory and rotatory movement to be imparted to said platen.

13. In a recording device, a form, a platen cooperating with said form, said platen being mounted for reciprocatory movement toward and from said form and for rotatory movement about an axis intersecting the plane said of said form, and a cam arranged to engage said platen at one side of its axis to impart both reciprocatory and rotatory movement thereto.

14. In a recording device, clock mechanism, a supporting bracket arranged adjacent to said clock mechanism and having an opening extending through the same, a form comprising a part rigidly secured to said supporting bracket about said opening and also comprising movable parts concentrically arranged with relation to said fixed part, and carried by telescoping shafts rotatably mounted within said opening and connecte-d with said clock mechanism, said supporting bracket and said telescoping shafts having cooperating shoulders toA limit the lengthwise movement of the rotatable parts of said form, a bearing bracket supported adjacent to said form and havinOr a'guide-way extending at an acute angle to the plane of said form, a platen mounted in said guide-way with reciprocatory movement and free rotatory movement, and means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said form without interfering with its rotatory movement.

15. In a recording device, a form, a platen cooperating with said form and normally spaced away therefrom, a ribbon extending across said form, guide'pins for said ribbon, a card guide supported adjacent to the forward edge of said ribbon and having bent up portions secured to said guide pins, a second card guide arranged adjacent to said platen and spaced away from the first-mentioned card guide, and a stop carried byV one of said guides to limit the movement of the card.

16. In a recording device, a supporting plate having studs projecting therefrom, a clock frame having apertured parts to receive said studs, one of said studs projecting beyond the apertured part of said frame and having an annular recess therein, a latch pivotally mounted on said apertured part and adapted to enter the recess in said stud to hold said clock frame normally against movement thereon, a form connected with said clock frame, and a platen cooperating with said form.

17. In a recording device, a form, a platen to take an impression from said form, actuating means for said platen comprising a shaft, and means to rock the same, a bell, a tapper for said bell, a resilient arm supporting said tapper and having an inclined lug, an arm carried by said shaft and having a finger to engage said lug and move said tapper away from said bell against the resistance of said arm when said shaft is rocked in one direction, said lug being of such a length that said finger will pass out of engagement with the same as said shaft approaches the limit of its movement.

18. In a recording device, a base plate, clock mechanism mounted on said base plate, a form connected with said clock mechanism, a platen to cooperate with said form and normally spaced therefrom, an actuating device for said platen comprising a shaft, a housing removably mounted on said base plate, fastening devices to hold said housing in its closed position, a handle mounted on said shaft on the exterior of said casing, and a slot formed in said casing in alinement With the space between said form and said platen.

19. In a recording device, a fla-t form, a guide-Way arranged adjacent to said forni and extending at an angle to the plane thereof, a platen having a portion mounted in said guide-Way for reciprocatory movement toward and from said form, said part of said platen iitting loosely Within said guide-Way to permit it to be moved into and out of parallelism With said guidewvay by the contact of said platen With said form, and an actuating device to impart reciprocatory movement to said platen Without interering With the movement thereof into and out of parallelism With said guide-Way.

20. In a recording device, a Hat form, a bearing bracket arranged adjacent to said form and having a guide-Way extending at an angle to the plane of said form, a platen having a shank mounted in said guide-Way for reciprocatory movement toward and from said form, said shank fitting loosely Within the guide-Way to permit it to be moved into and out of parallelism With said guide-Way, and an actuating device to engage and impart reciprocatory movement to said platen Without interfering With the movement of said shank into and out of parallelism With said guide-Way.

21. In a recording` device, a at form, a bearing bracket arranged adjacent to said form and having a guide-vvay extending at an angle to the plane of said form, a platen having a shank mounted in said guide-Way for reciprocatory movement toward and from said form, said shank fitting loosely Within the guide-Way to permit it to be moved into and out of parallelism With said guide-Way, and a cam arranged to engage the end of said shank to impart reciprocatory movement thereto.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature hereto.

RICHARD HENRY CRONINGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained forve cents each; by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

